Truth Experience #248

Truth Experience #248

The one where I learned what NOT to wear to a “live your best life” event.

Last fall, I was faced with the most perplexing quandary:

“What do I wear to go with Martha to the annual "O You!" event where Oprah's O Magazine comes to life?”

Not what to wear to go see my mentor extraordinaire, Martha Beck. No, no. That would have been easy.

What do I wear to go accompany and support her behind the scenes as she presents at the Oprah shindig? I’d be in the Green Room with the O Magazine experts? I might meet Oprah!? I don’t get star struck... but I need to be strong confident enough to stand my ground and protect Martha from big egos, icky fan-frenzy energy, and crowds of thousands.

I am not one to fuss over my wardrobe or try on everything in my closet in these types of situations. However, I did stand in the middle of my closet for way longer than usual pondering if I could get away with my now-normal uniform of jeans and boots, or if a shopping spree was in order.

I finally pulled out the only black “power suit” that I kept from my old corporate days. The one I kept for funerals. I paired it with a leopard print “self confidence” building blouse and the most comfortable 3” heels that I owned. Perfect.

Then I walked around for a day...

As Martha delivered her message, comfortably sporting her signature scarf, jeans and boots, she nailed me, my aching feet, and my what-to-wear insecurities with these extracted bits from her speech:

“Why don’t you lay your armor down?
And just wear what you would wear to have coffee with dear friends.”

“Armor limits my consciousness."
“… I’d be a different person standing here in high heels, thinking that high heels made me more special than I am when I just show up as little me.
You know… without much to offer except myself.”

“Why take off that armor?
… When you take your armor off, you realize that the only piece of you that will endure is Love.
And that that’s enough, because that is, in fact, what you are. “

"My armor and me" were sitting right in front of her.

Earlier that day, we sat right next to her as she drafted and practiced her speech. (Did she know? Damn, she's good!)

She didn’t need my power suit.
She definitely didn’t need me hobbling behind her with painful feet in heels.
She just wanted Love to be there to support her in a place where there would be uncomfortable frenetic energy to wade through.

Love, it appears, is the only power suit we really need.
And definitely some comfortable shoes.**

What armor, my friends, can you lay down?

In Truth & With Love,

* If you want to watch Martha's whole "O You!" talk, you can find it here! The part that hit me square between the eyes runs between the 12:45 and 19:30 minute marks.

** You haven’t been truly humbled until you’ve walked around barefoot through the LA streets with Martha Beck and Susan Casey, the Editor in Chief of O Magazine. Next time I’m wearing these --->

Actually, this reminds me of when Robert Redford talks about Buck Brannamen in Buck, The Film. Buck walked into Redford’s office in his cowboy clothes, and Redford thought he was in costume. In a few minutes the authenticity shone through, and Redford knew he was the real deal. Sometimes, we just need to be the real deal.

I am reading this as I’m about to go pack for a meet & greet with Martha. My feet are very cranky these days, and I’ve been trying to figure out if I can handle wearing “pretty” shoes instead of the bright blue walking shoes that help my feet. My feet thank you in advance for this message…the walking shoes are in!

Jennifer Voss is a Master Life & Equus Coach who helps people take Leaps of Faith and create their own Truth Experiences by reinventing pieces of their lives that have become unhealthy or outdated. She also loves teaching, mentoring and being a mom. Read on>

sign up

to receive news, experience updates and other things that feel fun to share.